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Kate Sussman, M.Ed, a special education consultant in New York City and the newest addition to the Hidden Sparks team, acts as an External Coach and mentor to new Internal Coaches from outside the tri-state area. She worked for seven years with the Opportunity Charter School in Harlem. Previously, she coordinated after school and summer programs for at risk students and worked with Manhattan public high school teachers to create inclusive classrooms. Kate has been a facilitator for Schools Attuned, is a certified trainer for the University of Kansas Strategic Instruction Model and a former adjunct instructor at Bank Street College of Education. Kate has worked with teachers from public, private, and Jewish day schools, grades K—12.

The ecology of the classroom has a great effect on children’s classroom success. We will reflect on the elements that create a positive and supportive classroom environment, which in turn enhance the daily learning experiences of our students.

Ecology is the interaction between people and environment. All learning and behavior occur in context – everything in a child’s life affects how a child grows and develops. This may include the family, the socio-economic background, religion, gender, race, etc.

Look more deeply at any one of the components discussed tonight. What elements can you strengthen in your own classroom environment?

Stretch: What ecological factors might you want to look at school-wide?

Consider the connection between the classroom and the larger ecosystem of the child: what other environments is this child a part of? What happens when there is a clash/a disconnect between home ecology and school?

How can families better understand the school ecology/how can the school better understand the home ecology?

Hidden Sparks is a non-profit whose purpose is to help children with learning differences reach their full potential in school and life. Hidden Sparks develops and supports professional development programs for Jewish day schools to help increase understanding and support for teaching to diverse learners.

Guided by a philosophy that by helping schools meet the needs of children with learning and behavioral differences, ultimately all students will benefit, Using a coaching model, Hidden Sparks mentors provide professional development in neurodevelopment, temperament and behavior, and guide classroom teachers in understanding and helping the struggling students.

The Hidden Sparks coaching model and curriculum is currently used in 24 Jewish Day Schools/Yeshivot in New York and is beginning this year in Baltimore, through a partnership with SHEMESH. An additional 4 schools from southern US cities also participate with Hidden Sparks and more than 20 schools have been served by Hidden Sparks through the No Child Left Behind. Hidden Sparks is the proud recipient of a Covenant Foundation grant, recognizing excellence in Jewish education, and is honored to have been listed in SLINGSHOT among the 50 most innovative Jewish organizations in the US.